Moving-picture apparatus.



PATENTED MAY 12, 1908.

G. M. HIGGINS. MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 6. 1902. I

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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A-TTORNE YS.

PATENTED MAY 12 G. M. HIGGINS. MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 6. I902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

"N0 MODEL.

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No. 727,948. PATENTED MAY 12, 1903. G. M. HIGGINS. I

MOVING PICTURE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6. 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 N0 MODEL.

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No. 727,948. Patented May 12, 1903.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE MORRIS HIGGINS, OF CLEVELAND, OIIIO', ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WALTER A. WOLAND, OF FREMONT, OHIO.

MOVING-PICTU RE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming; part or Letters Patent No. 727,948, dated May 12, 1903.

Application filed September 6, 1902- Seri'al No. 122, (N model-l To all whom. it may concern: The apparatus is provided with a suitable Be it known that I, GEORGE MORRIS HIG- casing 10,'in the rear of which is formed an GINS, a citizen of the United States, and a opening 10 closed by a hood 11, which is reresident of Cleveland, in the county of Guyamovably placed in position and which facili- 5 hoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new tates entering the film into and removing it and Improved llIoving-Picture Apparatus, of from the interiorof the casing. which the following is a full, clear, and exact 1O represents the light-adn'iitting orifice at description. the front of the casing 10, and in this orifice This invention relates to an apparatus for is placed a flattened tube 12, having sliding 60 taking a number of successive pictures of a closures 14, by means ofwhich the tube may moving object, so that the moving picture be completely closed, as shown in Fig. 1, or may be reproduced in the Well-known manan opening of any size desired may be formed ner. The apparatus is also capable of havcent-rally in the tube. ing its operation reversed, thus to be used as indicates brackets which are mounted on 5 15 a lantern in reproducing the picture. a base 16 within the casing 10 and which have The prime feature of the invention lies in forward extensions 15,carrying,respectively, the arrangement of a number of lenses which shafts 17 and 18. The shaft 17 is mounted are mounted to move continuously in an endfixedly, and the shaft 18 is mounted to rotate. less pat-h parallel with and at a speed pro- Both of these shafts extend forwardly into 2o portional to that of the moving film, these the lens-compartment 10 of the casing 10, parts moving past the light-admitting orifice, and they carry, respectively, sprocket-Wheels so that the said lenses operate successively l9 and 20, of which the wheel 19 is loose on upon the film, and the parts moving in exact the shaft 17 and the wheel 20 fast to the shaft time with each other insures accurate im- 18. These wheels are transversely alined 25 pressions and avoids that objectionable apand carry an endless sprocket-chain 21, to pearance of vibration which is common in which areconnected the lens-cases'22 through apparatus of this sort, owing to the intermitthe medium of lugs and pins 23. (See Fig. tent motion formerly given the film. 6.) The lens-cases 22 are arranged longitu- The invention also involves an arrangedinally of the apparatus and side by side, the 3o ment facilitating the reproduction of the colchain 21 connecting said cases in'an endless ors of the subject taken. line, and when the shaft18 is revolubly driven Various minor features are also involved, said cases are caused to move around the as will be fully pointed out hereinafter. wheels 19 and 20, and are thus successively This specification is an exact description presented to the orifice in the tube 12.

5 of one example of my invention, while the Abracket 21 rises from the base 16 and carclaims define the actual scope thereof. ries revolubly a shaft 25, the rear end of Reference is to be had to the accompanying which projects beyond the casing 10 and is. drawings, formingapart of this specification, provided with a milled thumb-wheel 25 fain which similar characters of reference indicilitating the manual rotation of the shaft. o cate corresponding parts in all the views. Collars 25 on the shaft 25 prevent the lon- Figure 1 is a plan View of the apparatus, the gitudinal movement of the shaft. Said shaft casing being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a has its forward end projected into the lensvertical section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. compartment 10 and threaded to engage a 3 is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of nut26,which n'utcarriestwotransyersely-dis- 5 5 Fig. 1. Fig. at is a side elevation with parts posed plates 27 These plates slide loosely on of the casing broken away to show the intethe shaftsl? and 18 and have their upper edges rior mechanism. Fig. 5 is a section on the straightandarrangedinhorizontal position to line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a section on the engage in the notches of enlargements 22*, line 6 6 of Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a detail view of formed on the lens-cases 22. These plates 27 too 50 an attachment which may be employed in thereforesupportthelens-cases,whichmeetinthe apparatus. a horizontal plane, and prevent them from sagging between the wheels 19 and 20. Further, the wheel 19 being loose on the shaft 18 these wheels 19 and 20 are free to move longitudinally of their shafts, and by turning the screw the nut 26 may be advanced or retracted, and through the medium of the plates 27 and enlargements 22 the set of lens-cases may be moved forward or backward, so as properly to focus the lenses. These parts 25, 26, and 27 serve, therefore, a twofold function.

28 indicates the lenses, which are carried in the forward ends of the lens-cases 22 and which may be of any form suitable to the purpose in hand. Just rearward of the lenses 28 are the colored diaphragms 29, which are one for each lens and which are placed in the cases, as shown. These diaphragms are formed with central apertures 29, as shown, and are located just back of the respective lenses. Said diaphragms are formed of glass or other transparent material and are colored successively with the three primary colors,

such as red, yellow, and blue or shades thereof. Therefore the diaphragms are arranged in groups of three, the members of which are respectively of the colors named, and as the lenses are moved these colors are alternated past the light-admitting orifice of the case 10. The central apertures in the diaphragms are of such size that the unobstructed light passing through these apertures acting in conjunction with the colored light passing through the rest of the diaphragm will produce the desired actinic effect upon the sensitive surface of the film. The colored light is not alone sufficiently active chemically to produce the effect with sufficient speed for kinetographic work, and consequently the central aperture is provided to give the additional light necessary. The film when impressed with the images in this manner and when run through the reproducing operation in connection with colored screens similar to those employed in making the exposure will reproduce the picture in its natural colors, all of which will be understood from the prior art. (See, for example, the patent to Lee and Turner for a kinetographic camera, No. 645,477, granted March 17, 1900.)

A vertical partition 30 is arranged in the easing 10, dividing it into the lens-chamber 10, before described, and the film-chamber 10.

31 indicates the sensitized film; 32, the reel on which is wound the unexposed film.

33 is a reel carrying the exposed part of the film, and 34 and 35 represent the idlerdrums over which the filmis drawn and which serve to hold the film in close proximity to the rear side of the partition 30. The drum 35 is provided with a pulley 36, and over this pulley passes a belt 37, which is crossed and extended to a pulley 38, having suitable connection with the reel 33, so as to drive the reel 33 from the pulley 35. 39 indicates brackets which are mounted on the base 16 and which carry, respectively, the shafts 40 and 41 of the drums 34 and 35.

The shaft 41 has a bevel-gear 42 thereon, and this is in mesh with a corresponding gear 43, fastened on the drive-shaft 44. This drive-shaft extends horizontally and transversely and is mounted to turn in a bracket 45. Outside of the casing 10 the shaft 44 is provided with a crank 46 for facilitating the rotation of the shaft, and by these means the drums 35 and 33 are driven. The shaft 18 extends rearwardly to \the bracket 39 and carries a bevel-gear 47, which is meshed with the gear 43, and by this arrangement the shaft 18 is driven synchronously with the film. As best shown in Fig. 1, the film is pressed snugly against the drum 35 by an idler-roller 48, which is carried on a swinging arm 49, and said arm is pressed by a spring-actuated extensible rod 50, causing the drum to hold the roller 48 pressed snugly against the film, which in turn is held against the drum 35.

If desired, the reel 32 may be substituted by a box or case in which the film is wound and from which it may be withdrawn by the action of the reel 33. This device is separate from the other parts of the apparatus, and being opaque to preventexposure it presents'the advantage of allowing the apparatus to be charged in exposed places, and also it dispenses with one moving part of the apparatus-i. 6., the reel 32.

In the partition 30 is formed an orifice 51, which is in line with the tube 12, and through which orifice the film is exposed. 52 indicates channel-guides,which are arranged facing each other horizontally above and below the orifice at the rear side of the partition, and through which guides the film runs. This holds the film snugly against the back of the partition. The area of the opening 51 may be regulated by means of aprons 53, (shown in Fig. 7,) and having bent upper ends 54, adapted to be placed over the top of the partition 30, so that the aprons will hang down over or at one side of the opening 51. These aprons may be adjusted with respect to the opening so as to increase or diminish its size. In taking pictures three aprons will be employed. One will be arranged at each side of the opening in front of the film, so that by proper adjustment of these two aprons the width of the exposure-orifice may be regulated, and the other will be arranged back of the film opposite the exposure-orifice to prevent t-he light from penetrating the film-compartment 10. Now it may be observed that by proper adjustment of the first two aprons the speed of exposurethat is to say,the area of film uncovered-may be regulated properly to suit the class of work involved. In using the apparatus to reproduce the pictures these aprons are unnecessary, and hence they are made removable.

In the use of the invention the apparatus is placed before the object to be photographed and the parts are adjusted as shown in the drawings, excepting that the slides 14 are moved apart, so as to form the necessary opening in the tube 12. The shaft 44. is now bination of means for carrying the film, a

set in motion, which causes the film to be advanced and the chain 21, carrying the lenses, to be moved in time with the film. The parts are so relatively arranged that the film is moved at exactly the speed of the movement of the images projected from the lenses. As each lens is moved into alinement with the tube 12 and opening 51 an exposure of the film is effected and the image is impressed thereon. As the next lens is advanced a second impression is made, and so 011 throughout the operation of the machine. It willbe observed that this apparatus avoids that intermittent movement which has been heretofore employed and which causes the vibrating appearance of the picture when reproduced. The film thus formed will have the successive progressive images necessary to reproduce the moving picture photographed, which reproduction may be effected in any desired manner. A transparent film bearing moving-picture images may be placed in the apparatus in place of the sensitized film and a light placed back of said film, and thus a reproducing apparatus will be formed. In other words, the operation may be reversed to form the apparatus into a kinetographic lantern. For this purpose the closure 11 may be removed and the light admitted into the rear of the apparatus through the aperture 10 in the case 10. It then passes through the film and through the orifice 51, where it enters the lens-cases andpasses the screens 29 and lenses 28, the image being projected through the tube 12. It will be observed that in this mannera colored picture may be produced, since the screen 29 then serves as the reproducing-screen instead of the photographic screen, as in the other operation.

Various changes in the form and details of my invention may be resorted to at will without departing from the spirit of my invention. Hence I consider myself entitled to all forms of the invention as may lie within the intent of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a moving-picture apparatus, the combination of a plurality of lenses mounted to move successively past the light-admitting orifice, means for moving the film, gearing for driving said lens and film moving means synchronously, and a colored screen for each lens, the colored screens moving with the lenses.

2. In a moving-picture apparatus, the com-- bination of a plurality of lenses mounted to move successively past the light-admitting orifice, means for moving the film, gearing for driving said lens and film moving means synchronously, and a colored screen for each lens, the colored screens moving with the lenses, each of said screens having a central aperture therein, for the purpose specified.

3. In a moving-picture apparatus, the com.-

sprocket-chain, a plurality of lens-cases connected with certain links of the chain to move therewith, a lens in each case, sprocketwheels on which the chain is carried, and gearing for driving the chain and said filmcarrying means synchronously.

4. In a moving-picture apparatus, means for carrying the film, comprising an idlerdrum, reels to which the ends of the film are respectively attached, gearing for connecting the idler-drum with the winding-reel,anid1erroller serving to press the film against the idler-drum, means actuating the idler-roller, and means for driving the idler-drum.

5. In a moving-picture apparatus, the combination with the film-carrying means, of a lens, a case therefor, means for mounting the case, said means permitting the case to move toward and from the film, a screw, a nut with which the screw coacts, and a connection between the nut and the lens-case toadjust the lens toward and from the film.

6. In a moving-picture apparatus, the combination with the film carrying means, of sprocket-wheels, an endless chain run over said wheels, lens-cases attached to the chain, a lens carried in each case, and a supporting plate or member over which the lens-cases run, whereby to prevent them from sagging.

7. In a moving-picture apparatus, the combination with the film carrying means, of sprocket-wheels, an endless chain run over the wheels, lens-cases attached to the chain, a lens carried in each case, a supporting plate or member over which the lens-cases run, whereby to prevent them from sagging, and means for adjusting said plate toward and from the film to focus the lens.

8. In a moving-picture apparatus, the combination with the film-carrying means, of sprocket-wheels, an endless chain run over the wheels, lens-cases attached to the chain, a lens carried in each case, a supporting plate or member over which the lens-casesrun whereby to prevent them from sagging, and means for adjusting said plate toward and from the film to focus the lens, said means comprising a screwmounted to turn and a nut in connection with said plate.

9. In a moving-picture apparatus, the combination with the film-carrying means, of a plurality of lens-cases, lenses in said cases, a chain to which the cases are connected,wheels over which the chain runs, a plate having a straight edge over which the lens-cases run to prevent them from sagging, a nut connected with the plate, and a screw arranged to an apron lying adjacent tothe wall and ad-.

justable over and from said orifice to vary the area thereof, and a lens mounted to move past the orifice.

12. A moving-picture apparatus comprising a wall with a film-exposing orifice therein, two aprons arranged adjacent to said wall at opposite sides of said orifice and adjustable toward and from each other for the purpose specified, and a lens mounted to move past the orifice.

13. In a moving-picture apparatus,the combination of a lens, a film, said parts being relatively movable, and a color-screen having an aperture therein to permit the passage of unobstructed light-rays, for the purpose specified.

14:. In a moving-picture apparatus,the combination of a lens, a film, said parts being relatively movable, and a color-screen having a centrally-situated aperture therein to permit the passage of unobstructed light-rays, for the purpose specified.

15. In a moving-picture apparatus,the combination of a plurality of lenses adapted to move successively past the light-admitting orifice, means for moving the film, gearing for driving said lenses and film-moving means synchronously, and a color-screen for each lens, said screens moving with the lenses and each having an aperture'therein, for the purpose specified.

16. In a moving-picture apparatus,t'ne combination with film-carrying means, of a plurality of moving lenses, and a color-screen for each lens.

17. In a moving-picture apparatus,the combination with the film-carrying means, of sprocket-wheels, an endless chain run over said wheels, lenses carried by the chain, a supporting plate or member over which the lenses run, whereby to prevent them from sagging, and means for adjusting said plate toward and from the film to focus the lenses.

18. In a moving-picture apparatus,the combination with the film-carrying means, of an endless chain, means for carrying and driving the same, lenses supported on the chain, and a supporting plate or member over which the lenses run, whereby to prevent them from sagging.

19. In a moving-picture apparatus,the combination with the film-carrying means, of an endless chain, means for carrying and driving the same, lenses supported on the chain, a supporting plate or member over which the lenses run, whereby to prevent them from sagging, and means for adjusting the supporting-plate toward and from the film, to focus the lens.

20. In a moving-pictu re apparatus,the combination of a film-carrying means, an endless chain, means for mounting and driving the same, lenses supported by the chain, a supporting plate or member over which the lenses run, whereby to prevent them from sagging, a screw mounted to turn, and a nut Working on the screw and having connection with the said supporting-plate, for the purpose specified.

21. The combination of a lens, a film-carrying means, and a color-screen having an ap- GEORGE MORRIS HIGGINS.

\Vitnessesz WALTER A. WOLAND, JAY G. HART. 

